Sunday Post May 8, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday May 9, 2022

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!
I am finally back on line with internet reinstalled on 5/6/2022. As I posted this morning, my husband left this temporary home to be at home with Jesus last Sunday morning.
The trauma of grief has had us all disoriented and tired.
I will be working slowly to get reviews and giveaways (Friday Pick and Sharing Beyond Books) going again.

I had a lovely, if bittersweet, morning with family attending church with me this morning.

I continue to pray for the people and situation in Ukraine and for world leaders. I am adding Sri Lanka to these prayers per the request for another blog friend. 
.

We have had some heavy rains, but mostly our weather has been nice.

I have continued my listening over the last several weeks.  We are looking at the problems with my cell phone before I start reading on the phone again. Over the past two weeks I finished three audiobooks. I posted the Sunday/Monday Post two weeks ago, two reviews and my sad news this morning.

I am looking forward to starting to visit blogs again this week.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 24, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 25, 2022.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Inside Jobs, Tales from a Time of Quarantine by Ben H. Winters; Categories: Literature & Fiction, Anthologies & Short Stories; My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Polar Vortex by Matthew Mather; Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0, Narration 4.25.

• Sunday News of Sorrow and Joy.

Finished Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Keeper
A Novel
By: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate
Series: Stoney Ridge Seasons, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
I decided on a change of pace and a “K” title in the mixed Audio goal.
Source: 4/18/17 Audible Sale $5.95.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Wild Swan: A Story of Florence Nightingale
By: Patti Callahan
Narrated by: Cynthia Erivo
Series: Audible Original Stories
Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
I enjoyed learning about this strong, brave woman through this short historical fiction. Source: 12/14/2020 Audible Plus Catalog.
About This Audible Original
In this captivating historical novella narrated by Tony Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, New York Times best-selling author Patti Callahan Henry celebrates the life of the mother of modern nursing and one of history's greatest heroines: Florence Nightingale.
Wild Swan introduces listeners to the Lady with the Lamp long before she became a legend. In this poignant story, a young woman has just discovered her divine purpose to become a nurse, and struggles to make that dream a reality. While traveling abroad with her close friend, Selina Bracebridge - another strong woman living an unconventional life - a rare opportunity arises for Florence to practice medicine. Intellectually gifted with an advanced education thanks to her father’s progressive political views, can the daughter of a prominent English family defy Victorian societal expectations to fulfill her destiny?
Over the course of a few short years, Florence remains brave and determined in the face of all obstacles, pursuing her passion against her family’s wishes. From her parent’s luxurious countryside estate in England to her travels abroad to the German medical institute where she first began her training and fell in love with her work, we follow Florence during these pivotal early years of her extraordinary life.
©2020 Patti Callahan Henry (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Prador Moon: A Novel of the Polity, Book 1
By: Neal Asher
Narrated by: David Marantz
Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
I picked this as the "P" for my Alphabet Series goal.
Source: July 2021 Audible Plus Catalog.
Publisher's Summary
Neal Asher takes on first contact, Polity style. This original novel recounts the first contact between the aggressive Prador aliens, and the Polity Collective as it is forced to retool its society to a war footing. The overwhelming brute force of the Prador dreadnaughts causes several worlds and space stations to be overrun.
Prador Moon follows the initial Polity defeats, to the first draws, and culminates in what might be the first Polity victory, told from the point of view of two unlikely heroes.
©2006 Neal Asher (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Currently Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Unbowed
Lee Harden, Book 5
By: D. J. Molles
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
Length: 11 hrs and 21 mins
I felt the need to pull in a familiar series.
Source: 10/17/2021 September Audible Credit.
Publisher's Summary
The United Eastern States has fallen. Lee Harden and a band of survivors have escaped President Briggs' invasion force. Their only options are to attack Briggs while his forces are delayed on the East Coast...or admit that they've been beaten and go into hiding. For Lee Harden, the decision seems obvious. But as disparate forces, factions, and loyalties begin to converge under the pressure cooker of all-out civil war, Lee is forced to confront not only insurmountable odds, but also the darkest parts of himself that he has left buried in the years since this all began.
©2020 D.J. Molles (P)2021 Audible, Inc.

2. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Quest of Heroes, A & Slave, Warrior, Queen Bundle
By Morgan Rice
Publisher: Findaway Voices
Duration: 16 hours 28 minutes
I plan to read only Quest for Heroes at this time as a "Q" title.
Source: I've had this on Kindle since 2003 (it's still free). I picked up the audio at May 2020 Audiobooks.com bundle for $.99.
In the #1 Bestseller A QUEST OF HEROES, Thorgrin, a special 14- year old boy, the least loved of his father, learns he has powers he does not understand. An outsider, he must fight for acceptance as he strives to become a warrior, to join the King’s Legion, and as he falls in love with the king’s 16- year old daughter. Most of all, he must learn who he really is, and why his destiny is so important.

May 8, 2022 - I'm glad to be able to listen to my Bible reading as well as read it. I have to go back and watch the connected videos I haven't been able to watch since April 20 in the Bible Reading Plan: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I know it won't match my Hubby's reading but I wanted some different insights/devotions and I am enjoying the devotion video project. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I'll look for a new study soon.

I completed two books for review. I have six outstanding reviews to post.
My NetGalley shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I don't have any author reviews in my queue right now.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No new review books.
I picked my VIP April title before the end of April and used an expiring credit for Two for One deal at Audiobook.com this week.
I added one ebook to my Kindle TBR library today.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

May 5, 2022 Two for One Deal Credit use at Audiobooks.com. (I had to make a point to go online while at work before I lost a credit.)

The Keeper of Lost Causes
Author Jussi Adler-Olsen
Narrator: Erik Davies
Duration: 15 h 37 min

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking
Author T. Kingfisher
Narrator: Patricia Santomasso
Duration: 8 h 30 min

Free

April 27, 2022 VIP free pick at Audiobooks.com

Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction
Author Michelle Nijhuis
Narrator: Christina Delaine
Duration: 10 h 28 min


5/8/22 I picked up one free kindle titles to add to my library.

Ancient Souls - Karma's Return (Ancient Souls Series Book 1)
by Elin Peer and Pearl Beacon


One Free title when I got internet again. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday News of Sorrow and Joy

A main reason I have not posted this past week is that my husband went home to Jesus last Sunday morning. He had been moved to the nursing home for care and rehabilitation on Thursday evening and I was spending half days with him. It was a terrible call to get at 6:40am Sunday May 1 as I wasn't ready.

The week has been disorienting of course. Heather has been devastated and been with me most of the week. I am thankful to have had help, comfort, and distraction with my sister who arrived late on Sunday and my stepmother who came in Tuesday. They stayed until Friday morning.

Our son came in on Tuesday and will be staying for a couple of weeks. Neighbors and church family have kept us full of food. We had visitation and a celebration of life on Saturday (May 7) morning.

We are sorrowing for our loss but we celebrate with joy because, as our former pastor wrote: "Bob is breathing easy in the presence of Jesus."
I am sharing (just a peek of) our memories here.

July 4, 1942 to May 1, 2022

Audible Book Review: Polar Vortex by Matthew Mather

This got a little long and dreary but I was satisfied when it ended.
Polar Vortex
By: Matthew Mather
Narrated by: Tom Taylorson

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins
Release date: 04-02-19
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Genre: Adventure, Mystery, Suspense
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0, Narration 4.25.

Publisher's Summary
A routine commercial flight disappears over the North Pole. No wreckage. No transponder signals.
Mitch Matthews is writer struggling to make ends meet when his wife's brother offers them a first-class seat on a flight from Hong Kong to New York. When his wife needs to stay behind, it becomes an opportunity for some quality daddy-daughter time with his five-year-old Lilly. At check-in, they run into a strange Norwegian arguing with a huge Russian. A mysterious redhead is guarding a package in the business lounge. But everything is fine...right up until the event.
Within hours of Allied Airlines 695 disappearing, a massive international search is launched. Aircraft and ships are dispatched from Russia, America, Canada, and Norway. How can a modern airliner simply vanish in one of the most heavily monitored places on Earth?
Global tensions rise. The media and grieving families whip into a frenzy. The armed forces of America and Russia tip the world toward the brink of an apocalyptic war.
Weeks later, found on the ice in a chance discovery, the journal of Mitch Matthews reveals the incredible truth behind the disappearance of Allied 695, and what really happened in the Polar Vortex.
©2019 Matthew Mather (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Review:
Mitch Matthews leaves his wife in Hong Kong while he takes a flight with their five-year old daughter, Lily, to return to their home in New York. The flight pilot is his wife’s brother, who is known to have a drinking problem and possible anger issues regarding Mitch. As a struggling writer, Mitch journals his observations of other passengers, his surroundings, and the events that occur.

Mitch’s brother-in-law allows Mitch and Lilly the rare opportunity to visit in the pilot’s cabin. They learn a little about the plane and its route before the rotation of crew has them returning to their seats. They fall asleep and wake to find the plane has crashed on the ice of the north pole.

A handful of passengers, including several dubious characters, must work together to try to survive the hostile environment. This is more edgy as there are suspicions of sabotage that brought the plane down and has inhibited the ability to communicate the location of the crash. Several conspiracy theories abound.

There was a lot in the story that was a stretch to believe and the dreariness of the situation made it almost unpleasant to continue. However, I enjoyed the mystery and the unfolding of the final scenes. I did guess the important passenger although not the reason for the attack. I also like the use of the journal entries being used by the searchers to find the plane and determine the cause of the crash. I would recommend this story to fans of adventure (willing to stretch) and mystery stories.

Audio Notes: Tom Taylorson is a new narrator to me. I enjoyed the distinct voices as well as the tone that fit the narrative style of the story. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.

Source: 11/30/2019 Audible Daily Deal $3.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: Inside Jobs, Tales from a Time of Quarantine by Ben H. Winters

This is a humorous take on crime during Quarantine situation.

Inside Jobs
Tales from a Time of Quarantine
By: Ben H. Winters
Narrated by: Scott Aiello, Kevin T. Collins, Ellen Archer

Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 04-30-20
Publisher: Audible Originals
Categories: Literature & Fiction, Anthologies & Short Stories
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

About This Audible Original
Three offbeat stories of crime and conundrum, set in the present moment, from The New York Times best-selling, Edgar Award-winning author of Underground Airlines and The Last Policeman.
Inside Jobs: Tales from a Time of Quarantine includes:
The Crimson Parrot
It's not easy masterminding the crime of the century when your whole gang is working from home. A high-stakes tale of larceny, deception, and teleconferencing.
The Cape House
As the world shifts around them, two estranged brothers end up in their childhood home. But it's the memories they unearth that will change them forever.
Stop Motion
With endless time on her hands, an apartment-bound young woman gets to all the hobbies she's neglected—martial arts, playing the sax, photography...and solving a murder?
©2020 Ben H. Winters (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC

Review:
This is a fun look at crime and the route it could take during a pandemic. The Crimson Parrot tells the tale of three thieves planning a heist through a Zoom meeting. Behind their meeting they have to deal with family or situational issues. Learning new technology won’t change the stripes of these criminals.

The Cape House is a house inherited by two estranged brothers when their father dies. They have memories of the home but most of them are not good memories. They realize that each one wants to keep the house for their own reason. But they don’t want to share. They discover their father’s pistol hidden in the attic and now their options expand.

Stop Motion is my favorite of the three stories. It has elements of Rear Window as a woman stuck in her apartment begins to suspect a neighbor has killed his partner. She ropes her former boyfriend into helping her investigate. It is a little macabre, but fun…in a twisted way.

I always love irony that twists in a story and the author does that well in these three short stories. I didn’t realize this was an author I read before but when I checked I realized I like another short story, Q&A, that I listened to. I think I have looked at his longer works and now I am ready to take a longer look. I recommend this to fans of mystery with twists.

Audio Notes: The three narrators, Scott Aiello, Kevin T. Collins, and Ellen Archer deliver the stories with clear voices that fit the characters and the situations. I am glad that I got to enjoy this on audio.

Source: December 2020 Audible Plus. This qualifies for 2022TBR, 2022Audiobook, and 2022Alphabet goals.

Sunday Post April 24, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 25, 2022

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Hubby is back in hospital to get the fluids off so he can breathe easier. (See Friday Status Update post for more detail.)  This week his attitude is improving. He still anticipates short time remaining but he is willing to go to rehab and try to get his strength up so he can move around the house and maybe cook a little. I am spending an extra three to four hours a day at the hospital, in the morning and evening, to give him some visiting time and to meet with the doctor for updates.

We've had no internet at home for over a week now so I am staying late at office just to get this post up.  I am not sure when I can visit blogs or upload more posts.

I continue to pray for the people and situation in Ukraine and for world leaders.
.

Our weather has been mostly nice.

I enjoyed my listening and reading (when the app worked) last week.  I finished two audiobooks and the eBook. I posted only the Sunday/Monday Post and a Status Update.

I didn't get to visit any blogs as I have no internet at night and I am working during the days.

Audible offerings for free children's titles ended June 30, 2021.
Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

These were last week's posts:

• Sunday Post April 17, 2022/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 18, 2022.

• No Friday Pick This Week and Status Update.

• ATBR: Audible Book Review: Let Her Be by Lisa Unger; Genre: Domestic Thriller, Psychological, Suspense; My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.25.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

Legend: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1
By: Christopher Woods
Narrated by: Marc Vietor
Series: Four Horsemen Tales, Book 1
I liked this merc space stories.
Source: 8/15/2021 from Audible Plus.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle App on Smartphone (Author2021)

Chinook (Miranda Chase NTSB #6)
by M.L. Buchman
I really like the unique characters and situations in this story. It's just sad it takes a month to read on Kindle.
Source: March 2021 from Author (through BookFunnel).
Click on book title for full description.

3. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Smear
How Shady Political Operatives and Fake News Control What You See, What You Think, and How You Vote
By: Sharyl Attkisson
Narrated by: Sharyl Attkisson
Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins
This is remarkable -- and disturbing.
Source: Audible 11/14/17 Credit Purchase.
Publisher's Summary
Ever wonder how politics turned into a take-no-prisoners blood sport? The New York Times best-selling author of Stonewalled pulls back the curtain on the shady world of opposition research and reveals the dirty tricks those in power use to influence your opinions.
Behind most major political stories in the modern era, there is an agenda - an effort by opposition researchers, spin doctors, and outside interests to destroy an idea or a person. The tactic they use is the Smear. Every day, Americans are influenced by the Smear without knowing it. Paid forces cleverly shape virtually every image you cross. Maybe you read that Donald Trump is a racist misogynist or saw someone on the news mocking the Bernie Sanders campaign. The trick of the Smear is that it is often based on some shred of truth, but these media-driven "hit pieces" are designed to obscure the truth. Success hinges on the Smear artist's ability to remain invisible, to make it seem as if their work is neither calculated nor scripted. It must appear to be precisely what it is not.
Veteran journalist Sharyl Attkisson has witnessed this practice firsthand. After years of being pitched hit jobs and puff pieces, she's an expert at detecting Smear campaigns. Now, the hard-hitting investigative reporter shares her inside knowledge, revealing how the Smear takes shape and who its perpetrators are - including Clinton confidant Sidney Blumenthal and, most influential of all, "right-wing assassin turned left-wing assassin" (National Review) political operative David Brock and his Media Matters for America empire.
Attkisson exposes the diabolical tactics of Smear artists and their outrageous access to the biggest names in political media - operatives who are corrupting the political process and discouraging widespread citizen involvement in our democracy.
©2017 Sharyl Attkisson (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Currently Reading:
1. Audible Smartphone (ATBR)

The Keeper
A Novel
By: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Narrated by: Amy Rubinate
Series: Stoney Ridge Seasons, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins
I decided on a change of pace and a “K” title in the mixed Audio goal.
Source: 4/18/17 Audible Sale $5.95.
Publisher's Summary
Life on Windmill Farm hasn’t been the same since Julia Lapp’s father has had trouble with his heart. But that doesn’t stop Julia from hoping for a bright future. She has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. But when Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding - again - she is determined to change his mind. She knows who is to blame for Paul’s sudden reluctance to wed: the Bee Man.Roman Troyer, the Bee Man, travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. A mysterious man who relishes his nomadic life, Roman especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia seriously at odds with him, Windmill Farm is looking decidedly less appealing.
Can Julia secure the future she’s always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?
©2012 Suzanne Woods Fisher (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

I have no idea what ebook or maybe print I will pick next. I will probably get to a "P"audio book but I haven't chosen that yet either.

April 24, 2022 - I've been able to keep up with reading but haven't watched the connected videos for a week since I don't have internet at home. I look forward to when I can watch them again. Bible Reading Plan: BibleProject | One Story that Leads to Jesus. I know it won't match my Hubby's reading but I wanted some different insights/devotions and I am enjoying the devotion video project. I am enjoying keeping up with my reading each day.
I look for a new study soon.

I completed three books for review. I have five outstanding reviews to post.
My NetGalley shelf is back to the three old ebook titles. I will probably end up letting A Place Called Armageddon go as DNF.
I am reading the last eBook title I had in queue.
(Plus a few that I received from facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests.)
Still many titles through InstaFreebie and many new author requests I haven't replied to.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, me and new to the team, Velvet at vvb32reads. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No new review books.
I haven't been online to select books but I will make time to get my VIP pick at Audiobook.com this week.
I added four ebooks to my Kindle TBR library last week while I was online a short time.

Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

NONE

Free

4/22/22 I picked up four free kindle titles to add to my library.

Four Free titles this week. Free titles often found at Bookbub, Bookfun, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.